You're a Man Now, Boy

Last updated

You're a Man Now, Boy
YAMNB Raleigh Ritchie.jpg
Standard edition cover art. The deluxe edition features a pink background with "Raleigh Ritchie" in white text.
Studio album by
Released26 February 2016 (2016-02-26)
Recorded2012–2016
Genre Alternative R&B
Length46:46
Label Columbia
Producer
Raleigh Ritchie chronology
You're a Man Now, Boy
(2016)
Andy
(2020)
Singles from You're a Man Now, Boy
  1. "Stronger Than Ever"
    Released: 14 March 2014
  2. "Birthday Girl"
    Released: 7 December 2014
  3. "The Greatest"
    Released: 13 March 2015
  4. "Never Say Die"
    Released: 14 June 2015
  5. "Bloodsport '15"
    Released: 23 July 2015
  6. "You're a Man Now, Boy"
    Released: 11 December 2015
  7. "Keep it Simple"
    Released: 8 January 2016
  8. "Never Better"
    Released: 22 January 2016

You're a Man Now, Boy is the debut studio album by British R&B singer and songwriter Raleigh Ritchie, released 26 February 2016 on Columbia Records. It entered the UK Albums Chart at number 32. [1]

Contents

Composition

In an interview with Billboard , Anderson explained that "I started putting the album together properly about two years ago. But the oldest song on the album, “Never Better,” is about four years old. I’ve written hundreds of songs, and I was still writing new stuff when I was putting the album together. It was just a matter of deciding how to construct it as something that made sense of how I was feeling." He also noted Kanye West’s album The College Dropout as a source of personal inspiration for his music. [2]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
DJBoothVery positive [3]
The Evening Standard Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [4]
The Guardian Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [5]
MTV Very positive [6]

You're a Man Now, Boy received very positive reviews from critics upon release. Writing for The Evening Standard , John Aizlewood gave the album 4 stars out of 5 and described Raleigh Ritchie as "bold and cutting edge in a Jack Garratt sort of way and the fabulous The Last Romance is a life-affirming combination of confessional vocals and a massed gospel singalong. And for all the electro clutter of 'Werld Is Mine', the throaty rasp to his vocals and the smoother soul of the Stormzy-featuring 'Keep It Simple', he never loses his pop heart." [4]

The Guardian's Dave Simpson likewise gave the album 4 stars out of 5. Noting the lengthy writing and production process for the album, "If the problematic gestation means the mix of soul, R&B, electronica and cinematic orchestral sweeps can occasionally feel a trifle uneven, the Bristolian’s emotional deliveries bring a compelling vulnerability and humanity to the narrative-verse-to-big-chorus format." Simpson notes the title track as a highlight, writing that the track's "comparison of childhood dreams with adult realities ('I was an astronaut, once upon a time. I'm not growing up. I'm ageing') is beautifully moving."

MTV's Matt Tarr wrote very positively about the album. Like Simpson, he notes the title track as a highlight of the album as well as 'Stronger Than Ever' and as "the most powerfully emotive tracks on the album, both featuring dramatic rises and falls before eventually building to intense climactic ending". He also wrote that The orchestral instrumental of the prior is truly noteworthy and wouldn’t find itself amiss in a thrilling cinematic film trailer." Concluding the review, Tarr wrote that the album "is an incredible way to mark the humble beginning of an emotionally honest and sensitive artist on the mainstream stage and Raleigh Ritchie’s raw-yet-tender style is a joy to behold. Sure to catch the ear of new fans and current loyalists alike, this album will set the foundations for an exciting and boundary-pushing career in the UK music spotlight for a long while to come." [6]

DJBooth's Lucas G. described the album as "a profoundly emotional album but just like in real life, that emotion is hidden under puns, smiles and spliff smoke. The thing I love most about the album is the way Ritchie wrestles with fear but doesn't wallow in. He stands at the top of the cliff staring into the void, occasionally dangling his feet over, but never jumping. At the same time the album struggles with adulthood identity, connections and love, the album has an upbeat, fresh sound to it." [3]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Werld is Mine"
SumPunk4:01
2."Stronger Than Ever"
3:53
3."Bloodsport '15"
  • Anderson
  • Broad
  • SumPunk
  • Ritchie
4:17
4."I Can Change"
  • Anderson
  • Hanni Ibrahim
4:06
5."Keep it Simple" (featuring Stormzy)Elizondo3:41
6."The Greatest"
  • Anderson
  • Broad
  • Herman
  • SumPunk
  • Herman
3:47
7."Never Better"
  • Anderson
  • Broad
  • Herman
  • SumPunk
  • Herman
  • James Dring
3:52
8."Cowards"
  • Anderson
  • Loco
Loco3:45
9."A Moor"
3:18
10."Young & Stupid"
Sounwave 4:34
11."You're a Man Now, Boy"
  • Anderson
  • Broad
  • Herman
  • SumPunk
  • Herman
4:24
12."The Last Romance"
  • Anderson
  • Broad
SumPunk3:19
Total length:46:46
Deluxe edition
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
13."Never Say Die"
  • Anderson
  • Spears
Sounwave4:39
14."Life in a Box"
DJ Dahi 4:23
15."The Chased" (with The Internet)
  • Anderson
  • Broad
SumPunk4:11
16."Overdose"
  • Anderson
  • Spears
  • Dimitri Grimm
Sounwave4:21
17."Birthday Girl"
  • Anderson
  • Broad
  • Herman
  • James Bryan
  • SumPunk
  • Herman
4:17
18."Stay Inside"
  • Anderson
  • Michael Asante
Mikey J3:26
Total length:72:03

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal. [7]

Musicians

Technical

Chart performance

Chart (2016)Peak
position
Scottish Albums (OCC) [8] 56
UK Albums (OCC) [9] 32

Related Research Articles

<i>In This Skin</i> Album by Jessica Simpson

In This Skin is the third studio album by American recording artist Jessica Simpson. The album was released on August 19, 2003, by Columbia Records. It was reissued on March 2, 2004, with three new songs. Simpson began taking more creative control of her music with the album, both musically and lyrically, co-writing 10 out of 14 tracks on the album, thus moving away from the teen pop styles of her previous two albums, Sweet Kisses (1999) and Irresistible (2001), as well as including elements of Middle Eastern music, dance, acoustic, and pop rock, while also lyrically talking about more mature subject matters. The album was a huge success in North America, reaching number two on the US Billboard 200 and being certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Internationally, In This Skin went on to become the thirty-fifth best selling album of 2004. It was ranked number 153 on the list of the top-selling albums of the 2000s by Billboard magazine. As of 2020, In This Skin has sold 7 million copies worldwide.

<i>Anytime</i> (Brian McKnight album) 1997 studio album by Brian McKnight

Anytime is the third studio album by American singer Brian McKnight. It was released by Mercury Records on September 23, 1997, in the United States. Following his moderately successful second album I Remember You (1995), McKnight consulted a wider range of collaborators to work with him on the album, including producers Sean Combs, Keith Thomas, Poke & Tone and songwriters Diane Warren, and Peter Black. While McKnight would provide most of the material by himself, Anytime deviated from the urban adult contemporary sound of his older work, with the former acts taking his music further into the hip hop soul genre.

<i>Mary</i> (Mary J. Blige album) 1999 studio album by Mary J. Blige

Mary is the fourth studio album by American singer Mary J. Blige, released August 17, 1999, on MCA Records. The album debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 chart, selling 239,000 copies in its first week. It spent 57 weeks on the chart and produced five charting singles. Upon its release, Mary received acclaim from music critics. It has been certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America for sales of two million units in the United States.

<i>Celine Dion</i> (album) 1992 studio album by Celine Dion

Celine Dion is the eleventh studio album by Canadian singer Celine Dion, and her second English-language album. It was released by Columbia Records and Epic Records on 30 March 1992, and features the Grammy and Academy Award-winning song "Beauty and the Beast", and other hits like "If You Asked Me To" and "Love Can Move Mountains". The album was produced by Walter Afanasieff, Ric Wake, Guy Roche and Humberto Gatica. It reached numbers one in Quebec and three in Canada, where it was certified Diamond for shipments of over one million copies. At the 35th Annual Grammy Awards, Celine Dion was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. The album has sold over five million copies worldwide.

<i>Eyes Open</i> (Snow Patrol album) 2006 studio album by Snow Patrol

Eyes Open is the fourth studio album by Northern Irish-Scottish alternative rock band Snow Patrol. Produced by Jacknife Lee, it was released in the UK on 1 May 2006, and 9 May 2006 in the US. It was the band's first album without bassist Mark McClelland and the first to feature bassist Paul Wilson and keyboardist Tom Simpson. Recording for the album took place between October and December 2005 at Grouse Lodge Studios in Ireland, The Garage in Kent, and The Garden and Angel Recording Studios, both in London.

<i>N.B.</i> (album) 2007 studio album by Natasha Bedingfield

N.B. is the second studio album released by British singer Natasha Bedingfield. It was released in the United Kingdom on 30 April 2007 through Phonogenic Records. In the United Kingdom it produced two top ten hits, "I Wanna Have Your Babies" and "Soulmate". In January 2008, the album was released in the United States and Canada under the name Pocketful of Sunshine with new packaging and an alternative track listing featuring only six of the original songs. The US version's title song became a top-five hit whilst the lead single, "Love Like This" with Sean Kingston, became a top-fifteen hit. US critics said that the album felt inorganic and awkwardly assembled.

<i>Elton John and Tim Rices Aida</i> 1999 soundtrack album by Various Artists

Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida is a 1999 concept album that contains songs with music by Elton John and lyrics by Tim Rice from the 2000 musical Aida.

<i>Always</i> (Gabrielle album) 2007 studio album by Gabrielle

Always is the fifth studio album by English recording artist Gabrielle. It was released by Systemtactic Limited and Go! Beat Records on 1 October 2007 through Universal Music. Her first release in over three years, Gabrielle reteamed with longtime collaborators Julian Gallagher and The Boilerhouse Boys to work on the album. Always received positive reviews from music critics and entered the UK Albums Chart at number 11 and the UK R&B Album Chart at number 4. A supporting tour took place in February 2008.

<i>David Archuleta</i> (album) 2008 studio album by David Archuleta

David Archuleta is the debut album by American singer David Archuleta. It was released first released in the Asia on November 10, 2008, by Jive Records. The album was certified gold by the RIAA on January 29, 2009. The first single, "Crush", was released to radio on August 1. The album was released in the UK on May 11, 2009. The UK album release was set to coincide with his UK tour with Rock/Pop band McFly in April/May 2009.

<i>Ballads – The Love Song Collection</i> 2003 compilation album by Boyzone

Ballads – The Love Song Collection is the second compilation album released by Irish boyband Boyzone. The album contains a selection of material recorded between 1994–1999, as well as the previously unreleased recording, "Your Song". The album was released on 17 March 2003, under Universal Records. The album was certified Gold in the UK. Asian copies of the album also came packaged with a bonus VCD, which includes a selection of the group's music videos, alongside the previously unreleased video for "And I" selling 150,000 copies.

<i>Following My Intuition</i> 2016 studio album by Craig David

Following My Intuition is the sixth studio album by English singer Craig David. The album was released on 30 September 2016 by Insanity Records and Sony Music and features the likes of Big Narstie, Blonde, Sigala, Hardwell and Kaytranada.

<i>Never Been Better</i> 2014 studio album by Olly Murs

Never Been Better is the fourth studio album by English recording artist Olly Murs. It was released through Epic Records on 21 November 2014 in Ireland and 24 November in the United Kingdom.

<i>Fifty Shades of Grey</i> (soundtrack) 2015 soundtrack album by Various artists

Fifty Shades of Grey (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the soundtrack to the film of the same name adapted from E. L. James's eponymous novel that was released through Republic Records on February 10, 2015. It was the seventh best-selling album of 2015 with 2.2 million copies sold worldwide.

<i>Postcards from Paradise</i> 2015 studio album by Ringo Starr

Postcards from Paradise is the eighteenth studio album by Ringo Starr. It was released on 31 March 2015.

<i>All I Need</i> (Foxes album) 2016 studio album by Foxes

All I Need is the second studio album by English singer-songwriter Foxes, released on 5 February 2016.

<i>Beautiful Lies</i> (Birdy album) 2016 studio album by Birdy

Beautiful Lies is the third studio album by British musician Birdy, released on 25 March 2016 by Atlantic Records. The album includes the singles "Keeping Your Head Up", "Wild Horses", "Words", and "Hear You Calling".

<i>Long Live the Angels</i> 2016 studio album by Emeli Sandé

Long Live the Angels is the second studio album by Scottish recording artist Emeli Sandé, released on 11 November 2016 by Virgin Records. The lead single from the album, "Hurts", was released on 16 September 2016. Sandé embarked on a European tour to support the album, with dates in the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, Germany and Sweden.

<i>Gang Signs & Prayer</i> 2017 studio album by Stormzy

Gang Signs & Prayer is the debut studio album by British rapper Stormzy. It was released on 24 February 2017 independently through #Merky Records while being distributed by ADA of Warner Music Group. It is Stormzy's first major commercial release, following the Dreamers Disease EP (2014). The album features guest appearances from fellow MCs Wretch 32, Ghetts and J Hus, along with singers Kehlani, Raleigh Ritchie and MNEK. It features production from Fraser T. Smith and Sir Spyro, among others.

<i>The Time Is Now</i> (album) 2018 studio album by Craig David

The Time Is Now is the seventh studio album by British singer Craig David, released on 26 January 2018. The album features guest appearances from JP Cooper, Bastille, AJ Tracey, Ella Mai, Kaytranada and GoldLink. The albums's first single, "Heartline", was released on 14 September 2017, through David's official YouTube account.

<i>Love Goes</i> 2020 studio album by Sam Smith

Love Goes is the third studio album by English singer-songwriter Sam Smith. It was released on 30 October 2020 through Capitol Records. The album serves as a follow-up to Smith's second studio album The Thrill of It All (2017). The album was originally planned to be titled To Die For and was due for release on 1 May 2020 but was delayed amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Smith also felt it was insensitive to use the word "die" due to what many people were going through. The album won a GLAAD Media Award in the Outstanding Music Artist category in April 2021.

References

  1. White, Jack (4 March 2016). "The 1975 score second chart-topping album with I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware of It" . Retrieved 26 February 2016.
  2. Sullivan, Lindsey (23 February 2016). "Raleigh Ritchie on 'You're a Man Now, Boy,' David Bowie & Gene Kelly Moments" . Retrieved 26 March 2016.
  3. 1 2 G., Lucas (19 February 2016). "Raleigh Ritchie's "You're a Man Now, Boy" & The Joy of Finding a New Friend" . Retrieved 26 March 2016.
  4. 1 2 Aizlewood, John (26 February 2016). "Raleigh Ritchie – You're A Man Now, Boy, album review: 'bold and cutting edge'" . Retrieved 26 March 2016.
  5. Simpson, Dave (25 February 2016). "Raleigh Ritchie: You're a Man Now, Boy review – vulnerability and humanity" . Retrieved 26 March 2016.
  6. 1 2 Tarr, Matt (17 February 2016). "Album Review: Raleigh Ritchie 'You're A Man Now, Boy'". Archived from the original on 19 February 2016. Retrieved 26 March 2016.
  7. "Credits / You're a Man Now, Boy (Deluxe) / Raleigh Ritchie". Tidal. 26 February 2016. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  8. "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2016-03-10.
  9. "Raleigh Ritchie | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved 2016-03-10.